Houses have become bigger and costlier to maintain.
Cars have grown in size and weight to the point where they barely fit on our streets, let alone in parking spaces.
We work long hours and endless days in order to buy the toys we don’t have time to enjoy.
Another interesting observation Clive made is that most Australians don’t care exactly how much they earn as long as it is a bit more than the next person.
What has brought us to the point of being so affluent, and yet, we feel so impoverished?
The Apostle Paul, writing to his apprentice Timothy, said: ‘‘But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.’’
Contentment is a good word to ponder. When have you been truly content?
Think of the most memorable times you have enjoyed. What were the main factors that led to that enjoyment?
I suspect they would time spent with people whom you love: The simple things like birthday parties, backyard barbecues and family holidays.
Receiving a dividend notice on your investments might be nice but does it really satisfy as much as mealtimes spent exchanging stories, laughing together and reminiscing?
I love to study other cultures and their ‘world views’. A world view is an agreed set of norms that are considered right, proper and noble.
An example is the western work ethic with its emphasis on personal achievement, punctuality and efficiency.
Most cultures, especially older ones, don’t subscribe to that view. They are more community minded.
Spending time with people is more important than working for more money and the accumulation of personal wealth.
I saw this among my Aboriginal friends when I worked in Arnhem Land, and it resonates with my Greek heritage.
To this day, many of my Greek relatives in Greece work hard during the tourist season and take a break during winter.
They close their businesses during the quiet months and have a rest.
They catch up with each other, eat and drink together, and enjoy philosophising about the world.
They may not earn as much as possible, but their lives are enriched and interestingly, southern Europeans are known to have the lowest rates of cardiovascular disease as a result of their diet and lifestyle choices.
There is a story in Luke’s Gospel, chapter 10, where Jesus was invited to Martha’s place for dinner.
Her sister, Mary, sat at Jesus’ feet, listening to what he was saying. Martha was upset because she had a lot of preparation to do before dinner and she asked Jesus to tell Mary to get into the kitchen and help.
Jesus’ response is as instructive to us as it was to Martha. He said, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed — or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Are you more like Mary or Martha? Are you too busy doing stuff, working, volunteering or being so otherwise occupied that you have no time to sit and listen to God, and to those around you?
Just as Jesus was taken away from Mary and Martha, we will one day lose people around us whom we love.
Will the extra time spent at the office and not with our children, grandchildren, friends or neighbours comfort us?
Will the large, empty home we have worked hard to buy provide joy and satisfaction when we are old and grey?
True wealth is found when we are rich in our relationships, first with God and then with one-another.
It’s no wonder that when faced with an emergency evacuation of their homes, people tend to rescue their photos rather than their investment certificates.
How do you measure your riches?
Rev’d Phil Zamagias, Christ Church Anglican, Echuca
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